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Appointed - Dr. Sean Areias
Feb 24, 2026
Apr 8, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the ABA Oman International School Search Committee, we are very pleased to announce that Dr. Sean Areias has been appointed as the new Head of School beginning in August 2027.
Dr. Areias has been serving as Head of School at the International School of London Qatar since August 2021 and will be completing his term in July 2027. Prior to this, Dr. Areias served as Elementary Principal (2014-2019), Interim Superintendent (2019 – 2020), and Deputy Superintendent (2020-2021) at the American International School of Lagos in Nigeria. His other leadership roles include serving as Middle School Principal and MYP Coordinator at the Harare International School in Zimbabwe, Academic Dean and PYP Coordinator / Assistant Head of Lower School at the American School Foundation in Mexico City,
Primary School Principal at the American International School of Lusaka in Zambia, and Elementary School Principal at the Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Dr. Areias holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, in Pennsylvania, USA, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Bilingual Education Emphasis from the University of San Diego, in California, USA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Diversified Liberal Arts from the University of San Diego, in California, USA. Dr. Areias also holds Principal Certification (K-12) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, USA, and an International School Leader Certificate from The Principals’ Training Center, in Massachusetts, USA.
The ABA Head of School search attracted many candidates making this a highly competitive search. The ABA Search Committee selected Dr. Areias from a highly qualified and experienced group of candidates based on his in-depth knowledge, extensive expertise and significant leadership experience in international schools. Mr. James Barton, ABA Board Chair shared the following about Dr. Areias’ candidacy and appointment as the next ABA Head of School:
“We are thrilled to appoint Sean Areias as the next Head of School of ABA. Sean’s appointment represents the culmination of many months of work, which in partnership with Search Associates, included an extensive international search, stakeholder focus groups and community feedback which helped shape this important decision for ABA. Sean impressed us from the onset as a systems orientated and analytical strategic thinker who is personable and genuine. We are excited for the leadership and vision that Sean will bring to guide ABA into its next chapter. We look forward to welcoming Sean and his family into the ABA community.”
Dr. Areias is delighted to be joining ABA and looks forward to serving as the next Head of School. In response to his appointment, Dr. Areias shared, “I am honored to be appointed as the next Head of School of ABA Oman International School. Throughout the search process, I was impressed by the welcoming community, the quality of the conversations, and the genuine care people have for ABA and its future. I look forward to learning from and becoming part of the ABA Way, building strong relationships across the community, and working together to build on the school’s many strengths as ABA continues to grow and flourish.”
Search Associates extends thanks and appreciation to the ABA Search Committee and Board members for their effective partnership during the search process for the new Head of School. Search Associates also thanks all the candidates who applied for the Head of School position at ABA.
Search Associates congratulates Dr. Areias and wishes him all the best in his new role as Head of School at ABA and with his transition to Oman.
Sincerely,
Diana Martelly and Lana Al-Aghbar
Please click here for full position details and application instructions.
